Arizona city poised to pass state's first civil union ordinance

[UnrepentantLiberal]

Source: Reuters

BISBEE, Arizona - A former Arizona copper mining town reborn as an artists' community is poised to become on Tuesday the first city in the conservative southwestern state to allow civil unions between same-sex couples.

The City Council in Bisbee, a city of 5,600 residents in southeast Arizona, is set to pass an ordinance allowing any couple regardless of their sex or sexual orientation to join in a civil ceremony.

The Council approved it at a first reading last month by a unanimous vote, and officials expect it to pass at a second reading on Tuesday night, making the city a standout in the state whose constitution recognizes marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

"We're here and we're forging ahead ... We're not going to wait," said Gene Conners, an enthusiastic first-term Council member who proposed the measure.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-usa-arizonagaymarriagel2n0ch1tt-20130402,0,6667491.story

[LittleGirl]

1. Only recognized in Bisbee

no where else in AZ.

[primavera]

4. Yep, family law is a state law thing

Municipalities don't enjoy full faith and credit. But it's a nice gesture, nevertheless.

[snort]

2. Bisbee

Its a great little town. Very progressive. I've had some fun there investigating the 'paranormal'. And partying.

[ChazInAz]

5. I love Bisbee.

When I need to get back to my old Hippie origins, I take a quick jaunt down there. Funky businesses in turn-of-the-century stone and brick buildings, winding streets, nice people. Reminds me that we Freaks were right, after all!

[Aristus]

3. I've been to Bisbee once when I was a kid.

Saw the open-pit copper mine there. I thought it was cool, because I was too young to understand how environmentally unsound such mining practices are.

Had dinner at the Copper Queen Hotel.

And that's all I remember.

I was about 7 or so. It's nice to know that Arizona has pockets of progressivism outside of Tucson.